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Holger Osieck's contract terminated

The FFA has today announced that the contract of Holger Osieck as Head Coach of the Socceroos has been terminated.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced that the contract of Holger Osieck as Head Coach of the Socceroos has been terminated.

The decision was taken after an internal review of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and the international matches played since, including the 6-0 defeat to Brazil on 6 September and the 6-0 defeat to France earlier today.

The FFA Chairman Frank Lowy AC said the long-term interests of Australian football were paramount in making the change.

“The decision is based on the longer term issues of the rejuvenation of the Socceroos team and the preparations for the World Cup and the Asian Cup,” said Lowy.

“FFA has set a strategic objective of having a highly competitive team in Brazil and then handing over a team capable of winning the Asian Cup on home soil in January 2015.

“We have come to the conclusion that change is necessary to meet those objectives.

“I thank Holger for his contribution to Australian football and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

FFA CEO David Gallop has announced that current Socceroo assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar will be in charge as caretaker Head Coach of the Socceroos for the match against Canada in London this Tuesday (6am Wednesday AEDT).

“I have given our new Head of National Performance Luke Casserly and the National Technical Director Han Berger the task of conducting a review of our World Cup planning,” said Gallop.

“The review will include all aspects of the technical and logistical preparations, national teams unit staffing and the appointment of a new Head Coach.

“The World Cup kicks off in eight months and the Asian Cup is 15 months away. We are determined to make the most of the historical opportunities that these tournaments present to Australian football.

“FFA will give the highest priority to these projects because the Socceroos are the standard bearers for Australia on the world stage. “